Could an unlikely Fine Gael/Sinn Féin coalition be on the cards?
James Cox
Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.
Could Sinn Féin's 'extremely constructive' talks with Fine Gael open coalition doors?
Since emerging as Ireland's largest party in the 2020 general election, Sinn Féin's fortunes have been on a downward trajectory.
Mary Lou McDonald's party couldn't come to any agreement with left-wing parties to even come close to a viable alternative government, and despite a united front in campaigning for President Catherine Connolly, this looks no closer six years on.
They slipped further back in the 2024 general election, with differences between the party and its potential coalition partners more evident than ever.
McDonald frequently engages in bitter Dáil confrontations with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. However, her relationship with Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris seems to have thawed somewhat.
They rarely have a good word to say about each other, which is why some eyebrows were raised after it was revealed McDonald and Harris had held "extremely constructive" talks on Irish unity.
It followed an earlier debate on Irish unification, after which Sinn Féin enterprise spokeswoman Rose Conway-Walsh told the Tánaiste “Michael Collins would be pleased with you".
McDonald called Harris' presentation “refreshing” and “exactly where we need to be”.
After the recent meeting between the party leaders, McDonald said: "I think there is a recognition now that we need to work together collaboratively, that the preparation needs to be made... there’s an awful lot of work to be done.
“There is a lot of talking to be done and a lot of listening to be done and the planning needs to go ahead. So another step, another constructive conversation on our pathway to referendums and an orderly, democratic and peaceful transition from partition to a unified Ireland.”
A spokesman for Harris said he “gave a commitment in the Dáil earlier this month to continue working across the House with party leaders from all parties to advance the ongoing conversation about Irish unity”.
“On that basis and following a request from the leader of Sinn Féin, the Tánaiste met Deputy McDonald earlier today to discuss these matters.
“The Fine Gael leader looks forward to his continued work with Government colleagues and engagement with other party leaders on these issues in the future.”
Again, this marks a significant leap in relations between the two parties. While Sinn Féin subsequently reverted to its usual attacks on the Government, it suggests a willingness to work together on certain issues.
No issue is more important, or existential, to Sinn Féin than Irish unity, so if common ground can be found here, could it be found on a potential future coalition?
One thing is certain, Fianna Fáil will never work with Sinn Féin while Micheál Martin is in charge.
After Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil put their Civil War history behind them to form a coalition in 2020, both stated they would never work with Sinn Féin.
However, six years is a long time in politics. Many TDs have softened their stance on the issue, after all being in power is what drives most politicians.
Then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar famously described Sinn Féin as "not a normal party". However, some in his party, including Harris, may hold a different view.
After six years in power together, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have a strained relationship, so working with Sinn Féin may not be as alien a prospect as it once was for many TDs.
As previously stated, this will never be a possibility for Fianna Fáil under Martin.
With Fine Gael at least hinting at moves in such a direction, pressure may now mount on the Taoiseach. He has insisted he will lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election.
However, sources within the party have suggested January 2027 is a more likely ending point for his leadership, after Ireland's EU Presidency ends on December 31st, 2026.
Potential successors to Martin as party leader include Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers.
Whoever it is, it would give them about 10 months as taoiseach before the rotation with Fine Gael in November 2027.
They may want to hold their own 'constructive talks' with Sinn Féin to keep coalition options open.
One-party governments are a thing of the past in Ireland, and it looks like that will be the case for the foreseeable future.
Poll brings good news for both parties
Support for Fianna Fáil has dropped to its lowest point in two years, the latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll shows.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has seen support for his party fall by one point to 16 per cent.
The last time Fianna Fáil were on 16 per cent was in May 2024.
Sinn Féin have moved up one point to 20 per cent, alongside Fine Gael, who remained unchanged.
This may fuel further rumours of coalition possibilities, especially with cracks emerging between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael after six years in government together.
However, the poll also found a majority of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voters would not support a future coalition with Sinn Féin.
Ninety-three per cent of Fine Gael voters said a coalition with Sinn Féin would be a bad idea, while seven per cent stayed neutral.
Only four per cent of Fianna Fáil voters said they would support a coalition with Sinn Féin, with 96 per cent saying it would be a bad idea.
Some TDs predict Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is likely future Fine Gael leader
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has emerged as the frontrunner to be the next leader of Fine Gael when the time comes.
However, there is no imminent pressure on Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris.
Fine Gael sources, speaking anonymously, told BreakingNews.ie that Carroll MacNeill's performance as Minister for Health has impressed colleagues, and that she is "a party leader in waiting".
The TDs were Leinster-based.
She is highly thought of in the party, and is known to have ambitions to be taoiseach one day.
Fellow TDs, advisers, and staff at the Department of Health all speak highly of Carroll MacNeill.
"She's a real politician, in a good way," one source said, when speaking about the possibility of her being a future party leader.
Carroll MacNeill was elected to Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council in 2019, and she was elected to the Dáil in 2020.
Her career has since been on the rise. She served as a junior minister in the departments of Foreign Affairs and Finance, and was then rewarded with a Cabinet position.
Health can be a poisoned chalice, but Carroll MacNeill has acquitted herself well in the position.
She is one of the most recognisable faces in government, and is a good communicator, something which her Cabinet colleagues have recognised.
The sources stressed that Harris has the full support of the party, and there is certainly not a chance of any change before the taoiseach rotation in November 2027, when he will take over from Micheál Martin.
However, things can change quickly in politics, and whenever the time comes for a new Fine Gael leader, Carroll MacNeill looks best-placed to emerge as the frontrunner.
Abroad
US president Donald Trump claimed Middle East allies have reached the parameters of a deal to end the Iran war and said that he would hold off on ordering new strikes in the five-month old conflict.
In a social media post on Sunday morning, Trump added that the emerging deal “would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”
“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II,” he said.
“Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.
“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”